4 months ago
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POLYCYSTIC OVARIAN Syndrome (PCOS) is a common hormonal disorder affecting women of reproductive age. It’s characterised by irregular periods, excess androgen levels, and cysts on the ovaries. PCOS can lead to infertility, and is also linked to an increased risk of other chronic health conditions like type 2 diabetes.
A wholistic approach to managing PCOS involves addressing the condition’s various aspects through a combination of lifestyle changes, dietary adjustments, and potentially complementary therapies. This approach focuses on improving hormonal balance, managing symptoms, and promoting overall well-being.
According to Dr RivaneChybar-Virgo, medical doctor and health and wellness coach, speaking at a bi-weekly ‘Health Talk Sunday Series’ presentation, many women with PCOS have insulin resistance. This means the body cannot use insulin well. Insulin levels build up in the body and may cause higher androgen levels. Obesity can also increase insulin levels and make PCOS symptoms worse.
Treatment for PCOS, she said, depends on a number of factors. These may include your age, how severe your symptoms are, and your overall health. The type of treatment may also depend on whether you want to become pregnant in the future.
Effective management she said, depends on several factors including individual signs and symptoms, health goals, for example, fertility or weight management and your overall lifestyle.
“Management can include lifestyle changes with or without medication, or surgery, consultation with various specialist and adjunctive therapies. Treatment may include medications to hep fertility, regulate hormonal imbalance, with regulating cycle, with acne, excess hair growth, with insulin issues and regulate cholesterol levels,” Dr Chybar-Virgo said.
Achieving and maintaining a healthy weight and body composition can help to regulate hormones, which improves ovulation and enhance fertility.
“Weight management can include dietary changes, physical activity, adequate sleep and stress management. In optimising nutrition, persons can take an individualised approach by engaging in healthy eating habits, for example, regular balanced meals, portion size and a diet comprised of more nutrient dense food than empty calorie foods,” Dr Chybar-Virgo said.
She said people can consider reducing foods that worsen inflammation, including limiting salt, sugar, saturated fat, avoiding transfat, reducing refined and processed foods, limit red meat and limit alcohol.
If you do plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include a change in diet and activity. “A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate,” she said.
Medicines can help the ovaries to release eggs normally. These medicines also have certain risks. They can increase the chance of a multiple birth (twins or more); and they can cause ovarian hyperstimulation. This is when the ovaries release too many hormones. It can cause symptoms, such as belly bloating and pelvic pain.
“If you do not plan to become pregnant, your treatment may include birth control pills. These help to control menstrual cycles, lower androgen levels, and reduce acne,” Dr Chybar-Virgo said.
Diabetes medicine can also be used to lower insulin resistance in PCOS. It may also help reduce androgen levels, slow hair growth, and help you ovulate more regularly.
A healthy diet and more physical activity can help you lose weight and reduce your symptoms. They can also help your body use insulin more efficiently, lower blood glucose levels, and may help you ovulate.
English (US) ·